That’s a nod to how we’ll get caught up with the various ways the characters spent their summer. When the show returns on October 3, there will be a time jump of several months, as Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Caroline (Candice Accola) head off to college — leaving Damon (Ian Somerhalder) behind. Julie teases the new couple will have some adjustment issues: “little things that any normal couple would fight about and then hopefully make up over.”

Meanwhile, Stefan (Paul Wesley) has spent his time underwater in the quarry. It’s definitely going to take a toll, as the vampire will eventually come to the surface with some serious alterations to his personality. That might be bad news for newly human Katherine (Nina Dobrev), who follows one of the Salvatores around like a needy puppy.

And of course, Silas is still lurking — though he may make his presence felt in a big way. “I think we’ve got some juicy villains that need some vanquishing,” says Julie, “and there’s always a possibility that one of our beloved heroes will kick the bucket. When, who, or how, I’ll never tell, but it’s definitely in the cards.”